The base of a triangle is 8cm greater than the height. The area is 42cm^2. Find the height and length of the base.

Answer 1

Area of triangle = 1/2(height x base)
The problem states that base is 8 cm greater than the height; therefore, base-8 = height.
A = 1/2(b*h)
42 = 1/2(b*[b-8])
84=(b^2-8b)
rearrange to
b^2 - 8b -84
factor to
(b+8)(b-14)
Therefore, b = -8 cm which makes no sense and
b = +14 cm
and height = 14-8 = 6
Check:
1/2(b*h) = area
1/2(14*6) = 1/2(84)=42
Check my work.

Answer 2

base 8 and height 12???